Cardiac MRI uses magnets to generate images of the heart and unlike CT scans, there is no radiation involved.
Patients may be referred for this test to assess heart and valve functions. Cardiac MRI also permits tissue characterisation for other conditions that affect myocardial function, such as post-acute myocardial infarction to assess tissue viability, or infiltrative disorders such as cardiac sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, etc.
Depending on the pathology, cardiac MRI may or may not require the use of contrast.
This procedure is performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital through the Radiology department.